1. Make sure you have anti-virus software: This is one of the most important items to ensure that your computer remains safe from Internet Borne threats. There are plenty of solutions available, some of them free (AVG Free Edition – ClamWin) and some better than others. If you go the free route, I recommend AVG. If you decide to purchase an anti-virus suite, some good ones are AVG Professional, Symantec products and Computer Associates (CA) products. Any level of protection is better than none at all. Also, make sure to keep your software up to date as well as your subscription.

2. Patch your Operating System / Applications: Microsoft regularly releases updates to all of their products. This includes Security updates, Service Packs and feature enhancements. Make sure to visit the Windows Update site at least monthly and keep your computer up to date. This is also very important and should never be taken lightly. You hardware or other software vendors may also release patches.

3. Pay Attention to Emerging Threats: From time to time you will here about a new virus, flaw or vulnerability on the news or elsewhere. When these bulletins are released, read up on them and assess your risk; apply any applicable updates and avoid any pitfalls mentioned. Just be sure it is legitimate. There are some hoaxes out there so make sure you only follow any instructions from a trusted source.

4. Beware of your Click: Some sites have advertisements that may be appealing, usually telling you that your computer is infected, that you should clean your registry or other various “tips”. Be ware of these as most of the time, they are designed to do more damage than good.

5. Active-X: The word alone strikes fear in my mind;. Never install an Active-X control that is not from a trusted source. If you do need to install an Active-X control, lets use Adobe Flash Player, do not install it from a site that asks you to do so. Go directly to Adobe’s site to download the plug-in!

6. Keep an eye on the URL: when going to any site, it is important to make sure that you are on your intended site and not a phishing site made to look like your intended destination. Check the URL (Web Address) in the address bar to make sure it is spelled correctly and is in fact the site you are looking for.

7. Certificates: If you navigate to a site and get a certificate warning/error prompting you to either accept or not accept a certificate, it is usually a good idea to not accept it. There are exceptions to this rule though. For instance, if your organization has a site to access email remotely (Outlook Web access or otherwise) and your administrator has made you aware of the certificate error you will see, it is usually okay to accept the certificate.

8. Email Attachments: I am sure that we have all heard this one but it is worth repeating. If you receive an attachment on an email, do not open it unless you trust the sender. Even then, you should first save the attachment to your hard drive and scan it for viruses before opening it. You never know if someone you trust has a virus and is inadvertently sending it to you.

9. Password Protect Your Computer: You should always password protect your computer and change the password every now and then.

10. Passwords on the Internet: when you choose a password for a site to which you belong (a bank, credit card etc.) you should always choose a complex password. This means a password containing upper and lowercase characters as well as special characters if you are able. Also make your password at least 7 characters long and never have your computer remember these passwords for you.

If you follow these steps and use common sense when surfing the Internet you can greatly reduce the risks that you face. Remember that there are a lot of other people connected to the Internet and some percentage of those people are out for one thing, to steal from others. Do not be a victim! Be mindful of your personal information and activities on your computer and you will avoid future sorrow.

Jason (Digitalkid)
www.954network.com